According to estimates in the State Accountant's office, government's deficit in 2009 was NIS 39.3 billion, 5.15% of the gross domestic product. The government had planned for a 6% deficit. Part of the reason for this was increased tax collection during the past year. Throughout 2009, receipts by the government were NIS 3.5 billion more than had been forecast.
Tax collection was up in December 2009, with the government collecting NIS 14 million, 15% more than the year before.